Tamarisk, (genus Tamarix), any of 54 species of shrubs and low trees (family Tamaricaceae) that, with false tamarisks (Myricaria, 10 species), grow in salt deserts, by seashores, in mountainous areas, and in other semiarid localities from the Mediterranean region to central Asia and northern China. Many have been introduced into North America. They have deep-ranging roots and long, slender branches with numerous small, gray-green, scalelike leaves. Clusters of small pink flowers, hanging at the ends of branches or from the trunks, give the plants a feathery appearance. Each flower has 4 or 5 free sepals, 4 or 5 petals, and from 4 to 10 stamens. The petals and stamens arise from a fleshy disk. In Tamarix the stamens are separate; in Myricaria they are united. The fruit is a capsule with numerous seeds; each seed has a long tuft of hairs at one end.

Tamarisk (Tamarix)

F.M. Roberts/Ostman Agency

Tamarisks are valued for their ability to withstand drought, soil salinity, and salt-water spray. The salt cedar, or French tamarisk (T. gallica), is planted on seacoasts for shelter; it is cultivated in the United States from South Carolina to California. The Athel tree (T. aphylla), which sometimes grows to about 18 metres (60 feet), has jointed twigs and minute ensheathing leaves and is used as a windbreak in desert areas. T. ramosissima (or T. pentandra) and T. chinensis, with denser flower clusters, are frequently cultivated as ornamentals. Several species that have been introduced into western North America, however, are considered serious pests because they draw out scarce water with their deep roots and displace native species.

Learn More in these related articles:

The peninsula is almost devoid of trees. Clumps of junipers in the southwestern highlands make the closest approach to true forests. The tamarisk, which grows well without much water, is often planted in rows to retard the encroachment of drift sand. Trees are so rare that the standard Arabic word for tree, shajar, is ordinarily used by the Bedouin for...

...in most regions), with conifers being more locally distributed (such as Pinus in North America, Callitris in Australia, and Cupressus in North Africa and the Middle East). Tamarisks (Tamarix) are particularly important on sandy soils in Central Asia and also occur abundantly as introduced plants in parts of the North American and Australian deserts.